The statement by the candidate of the Domovinski pokret regarding subsidies in agriculture is ultimately neither accurate nor inaccurate.
On HTV4 program, on May 15, 2024, the presentation of candidates for the European Parliament from the Domovinski pokret was aired in Studio 4. During the presentation, an HRT journalist asked Stephen Nikola Bartulica: “Should Croatian farmers be protected from the import of cheap food from the EU? Do you think Croatia is spending EU funds correctly? Have we achieved self-sufficient farmers on family farms?”
Stephen Nikola Bartulica stated: “So, Croatia is increasingly spending on subsidies in agriculture, and our production is declining.” (Source: Presentation of the candidate list of Domovinski pokret, 9:48 minutes).
The statement is neither accurate nor inaccurate.
According to official data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, the value of real income in agriculture in 2023 will be 1,901 million euros, a decrease of 1.6 percent compared to the previous year. The value of agricultural production is expected to decrease by 7.4 percent, amounting to 3,005 million euros.
However, it should be noted that not everything is declining. Official data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics shows that livestock production has increased by 14.7 percent compared to the previous year. The value of pigs has increased by 22.2 percent compared to the previous year. The production of other fruits and vegetables has also increased. In 2023, compared to 2022, the production of plums decreased by 4,722 tons. Other fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, peppers, and leeks, also saw decreases in production.
It is true that direct subsidies for agriculture are increasing.
According to the Agency for Payments in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development, for the 2023 production year, payments totaling 211.4 million euros were approved and disbursed in November and December. For the 2022 production year, a total of 185.1 million euros was approved for direct support measures.
Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture’s website lists subsidies provided through the European Common Agricultural Policy, and it can be observed that they have expanded from 2023 to 2027, indicating increased spending on subsidies.
